William Shakespeare
A life and work
1•Activity 1:
WATCH THE MOVIE:
Shakespeare in Love
Did you know how many oscars won the movie in 1999?
2•Activity 2
INTRODUCTION
You have already seen the film Shakespeare in Love. Now you are going to discover more about Shakespeare and his time.
Some topics about the life and work of William Skakespeare are in these links:
ANSWER
William Shakespeare
1. When was he born?
2. Where was he born?
3. Who was Shakespeare's wife?
4. How many children did they have?
5. When did he die?
6. Why is the World Book Day celebrated on April 23rd -except for the UK and Ireland?
3•Extra activities
The Globe
What is The Globe?
6. What is The Globe?
7. When was The Globe built?
8. What happened to the theatre in 1.613?
9. Name three other theatres in London in 16th century. .
4• Activity 4
History and background: Reading Book
The Life and Times of William Shakespeare
After reading : Questionnaire on the book
A Who …
1.married William Shakespeare? …………………… .
2.married Mary, Queen Elizabeth’s older sister? …………………… .
3.sent spies to Europe to discover plots against Elizabeth? …………………… .
4.offered Shakespeare a job, but was accused of plotting to kill the Queen? …………………… .
5.was killed after a performance in the town of Thame? …………………… .
6.suggested that Queen Elizabeth make a speech to the soldiers?…………………… .
7.first paid Shakespeare for his writing? …………………… .
8.was the first main character who was evil in one of Shakespeare’s plays? …………………… .
9.helped Shakespeare to start to write plays but was arrested for heresy in 1593? ………………… .
10.asked Shakespeare’s company to perform Richard II, including the
10.asked Shakespeare’s company to perform Richard II, including the
Abdication Scene? …………………… .
B Complete the following sentences.
1.Shakespeare started to write comedies when the theatres re-opened because
2.In the play Julius Caesar, it was clear that Brutus and Cassius killed Caesar because they
3.Writing Richard III was a way for Shakespeare to express his sadness after
4.After working on this play for four years, Shakespeare finally believed that Romeo and Juliet
5.Although Shakespeare was nervous about including the Abdication Scene in the play Richard II,
6.Shakespeare included witches in Macbeth because
C Put the events in the correct order.
...... a.Shakespeare’s young son, Hamnet, died of the plague.
...... b.Shakespeare travelled to Thame to buy material for his father.
...... c.Shakespeare and Burbage built their theatre on the south bank of the Thames.
...... d.Shakespeare married Anne Hathaway.
...... e.John Shakespeare lost his important position in the town of Stratford-upon-Avon.
...... f.Shakespeare went to London for the first time to perform in front of the Queen.
Watch this documentary
WRITING TASK 1
Write an informative Essay on the reading:
What I learned about Shakespeare: The life and times of William Shakespeare
Audio Archives. Listen and repeat.
Reading aloud practice: Record yourself!!
WRITING TASK 2
Write an opinion essay on the following topic. It should be at least 120
words long.
Queen Elizabeth I was the most powerful woman in England. She received many proposals of marriage but refused them all. Why do you think that was?
5• Activity 5
Language in Shakespeare´s Times
NO FEAR SHAKESPEARE
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
Hamlet
Henry IV,
Henry V
Julius Caesar
King Lear
Macbeth
The Merchant of Venice
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Richard III
Romeo and Juliet
Sonnets
The Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Twelfth Night
As You Like It
The Comedy of Errors
Hamlet
Henry IV,
Henry V
Julius Caesar
King Lear
Macbeth
The Merchant of Venice
A Midsummer Night's Dream
Much Ado About Nothing
Othello
Richard III
Romeo and Juliet
Sonnets
The Taming of the Shrew
The Tempest
Twelfth Night
Shakespeare's works: a list
Make a click !!
Complete the list. Copy the names of all Shakespeare works which are missing
6• Activity 6
Make a click !!
Complete the list. Copy the names of all Shakespeare works which are missing
10. Name three of Shakespeare's comedies.
11. Name three of Shakespeare's tragedies.
12. Name three of Shakespeare's histories.
13. What where the names of King Lear's daughters?
READ THESE POSTERS TO KNOW MORE DETAILS
READ THESE POSTERS TO KNOW MORE DETAILS
7• Activity 7
•More on Shakespeare, works and media
More on Shakespeare´s plays. Watch and listen Click!
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/shakespeare:
A selection of texts
•Watch main differences in language Listen to these differences
Activity 8•Video selection to practice reciting:
Look for the text on the web
1 Hamlet
https://learnenglish.britishcouncil.org/en/shakespeare:
A selection of texts
•Watch main differences in language Listen to these differences
Activity 8•Video selection to practice reciting:
Look for the text on the web
1 Hamlet
2• Romeo and Juliet
3• Othello, the Moor of Venice
4• A Midsummer Night´s Dream
5. Macbeth
6- The Taming of the Shrew
7.Twelfth Night
